5 Minors, 1 Adult Arrested In Temecula For Impersonating Police

TEMECULA (CBSLA.com) — A group of suspects in Temecula have been arrested for reportedly using high-powered flashlights and megaphones to startle people sitting in parked cars and make them believe they were police officers.

The suspects would order the victims to exit their vehicles and lie face down on the pavement, according to the Temecula Police Department.

The first incident occurred at 6:45 p.m. Monday, at the intersection of Lakehouse Road and Harveston Drive, and the second stunt occurred at 8:40 that same night, in the 31000 block of Sonoma Lane.

Investigators believe the incidents were pranks and that the suspects made no attempts to rob or harm any of the victims.

Police were able to track down those responsible after receiving a tip that one of the alleged pranks had been filmed and the video posted on a social media website.

Officers apprehended three girls, two boys and an adult man.

Three of the juvenile suspects were released to their parents and charges will be filed while they remain out of custody. The other two juvenile suspects were booked into the Southwest Juvenile Hall on charges of impersonating an officer.